ON FARM SOUTHERN CATTLE AND SHEEP FEEDBASE f Growing resilience Barossa Valley producers are summer which delivered above‑average raising their glasses to more pasture‑growing conditions. RESEARCH IN resilient pastures. In 2017, the region received a late REVIEW The Barossa Improved Grazing Group break in June, average winter rainfall (BIGG) is a network of five producer and slightly lower‑than‑average spring PROJECT NAME groups in the Barossa and eastern rainfall, while 2018 was exceptionally dry, Maximising pasture in a variable Mount Lofty Ranges regions of SA which with less than half the annual average climate aims to deliver greater productivity and rainfall, a dry autumn with no break and RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS better natural resource management very little rainfall through spring. Barossa Improved Grazing Group outcomes for its 300 members. Pasture strategies across the PDS (BIGG), Coopers Farm Supplies and BIGG technical facilitator Georgie sites included: Farmer Johns, Pasture Genetics, Keynes said as part of an MLA • extending the growing season with Heritage Seeds Producer Demonstration Site (PDS), the a mix of early and late varieties FUNDING ORGANISATIONS group developed three major sites at • establishing lucerne to provide MLA Koonunga, Keyneton and Mt Pleasant– year‑round feed opportunities GOAL Eden Valley. Different pasture varieties • increasing production by combining To develop a more reliable and blends were sown and measured ryegrass with forage cereals feedbase responsive to changing at each of the sites from 2016 to 2018 to climate that is optimised for determine how they could be used to fill • using native pastures at critical times seasonal feed gaps. of the production calendar (such variable rainfall patterns including as lambing) late breaks, early finishes Twelve minor sites were developed on and out‑of‑season summer local farms in 2017 and 2018 to test the • using stored soil moisture to grow rainfall events. successful pasture blends sown on the summer forage crops major sites. • running high stocking rates BUDGET $60,000 (from MLA) “Not all farming systems are the same, • producing silage in a rotational $20,000 (in‑kind) so this gave producers a chance to look grazing system. DURATION at some of the pasture options available Lifetime Ewe Management and 2016–2018 so they could consider what might Pasture Principles groups were run in suit their enterprise and environment,” conjunction with the PDS to provide KEY FINDINGS TO DATE Georgie said. producers with more information on • Identify your feed gap and target grazing management. varieties to fill it. Seasonal variability The Barossa Valley traditionally receives Georgie said the PDS identified the • Consider blends of varieties to 550–600mm of annual rainfall, mainly need for producers to identify their feed provide opportunities to capitalise in winter, with occasional summer gap and target varieties to fill it. on all rainfall events. rainfall as a result of thunderstorms. • Consider pasture varieties which “This could include using blends of can provide grazing and fodder The autumn break is expected in May varieties to provide opportunities to conservation to increase flexibility and the main growing season generally capitalise on all rainfall events,” she said. and opportunities. occurs in late winter–spring, with “For example, using early and late pasure uality and growth declining int q ryegrasses within a mix to make the late October. most of any late spring rainfall event Georgie Keynes “Over the three years, the PDS while still providing high quality pasture E: georgie.keynes@biggroup.org.au presented a range of seasonal through late winter and spring. conditions which provided the BIGG pasture case studies: opporunity to set e how different pasture “It’s also important to select pasture biggroup.org.au varietes and pasturei management varieties which provide grazing and View webinars and the PDS video sratees performedt gi under variable fodder conservation to increase on the BIGG YouTube channel: conditions,” Georgie said. flexibility and opportunities. For Barossa Improved Grazing Group. example, using a forage cereal to fill In 2016, there was above‑average a winter feed gap through grazing, rainfall, a cold winter (with little pasture followed by fodder conservation (hay growth) and a wet, mild spring and or silage) to fill summer feed gaps.” ■ 1155